Choosing strings is a sensitive topic. If there's one thing that can irritate and cause conflict among the otherwise happy and kind global community of ukulele players, it's discussions about strings.
So, on the one hand, my ambition is not to present any absolute facts and truths here. On the other hand, I have a lot of experience with this, so I dare say I know what I'm talking about. Or writing about.
I usually compare instrument strings to shoes. There are those who are interested in shoes. There are those who are completely uninterested. There are special shoes for playing football, others for mountain climbing, and shoes for walking in snow. At the same time, I think many can agree with me that as long as you're just playing football in the garden at home, as long as it's not about very high and steep mountains, and as long as it's not about extreme winter – then you can, if necessary, manage with one and the same pair of shoes. But you can also look at it differently.
But you can also look at it differently. With a pair of sturdy shoes, specially adapted for one single thing, that activity becomes much more enjoyable. With a pair of proper football boots, playing football, even if it's just in the garden at home, becomes much more fun. In the same way, a trip in the snow becomes much more pleasant with a pair of proper winter boots.
It works the same way with strings. But let's put the shoes aside for now.
When it comes to ukulele strings, there are several different categories of choice.
- Strings for different musical styles. Now, this is much more common for guitar strings, but I still think the category is worth mentioning.
- Strings of different materials and thicknesses.
- Strings for different ukulele sizes.
The ukulele size category is the easiest to choose from. If you have a soprano ukulele, you should choose strings for that size. If you have a different size, you choose strings for that size. It is usually clearly stated on a string package what size the strings are suitable for. Certain models are suitable for several sizes, for example, soprano/concert or concert/tenor.
The material category is, simplified, about nylon strings (which are the most common type), fluorocarbon strings, and other materials.
Nylon strings come in a variety of types. Transparent, white, black, and brown. I wish I could categorize these colors by their properties. But it varies between manufacturers and models. Very, very many ukuleles, of different makes and models, have been delivered with white nylon strings from the Nylgut series by manufacturer Aquila over the past 20 years.
Not because they are the world's best strings. It's primarily about convenience from the factories, I would argue. So, if you are going to change strings on your ukulele and want to go with as safe a bet as possible, then Aquila Nylgut is what you should choose. And with that, this guide should have ended here.
Aquila Nylgut can be compared to simple, cheap shoes you buy at Biltema. They work for football in the garden and for long evening walks, if we are to continue with the shoe analogies. They work about as well (or poorly) for most things.
But there are so many more fantastic strings to choose from. If we stick to Aquila, they have 8 different series (if I'm not counting wrong), and these are made of nylon or variations of nylon. For example, they have a series called Red, which consists of a type of nylon with mixed-in copper powder. These therefore fall under the category of "other materials".
These are known to take a long time to "settle" the tuning after they have been put on. But in return, they intonate all the better once they are tuned. Their sound is a bit harsh, and many find them more suitable for fingerpicking than for chord playing. So, Aquila Red is a good example of a string series that is significantly better at certain things, and a bit worse at others.
D'Addario is another string manufacturer that offers many different strings. They have a series called Titanium, which, in its characteristics, can be somewhat reminiscent of Aquila's Red. They are harder and produce a slightly sharper sound. One might also think that it is a question of nylon with mixed-in titanium powder, in the same way as Red's copper powder. But in this case, it is just a nylon material that is slightly harder than regular nylon. Yet another example of strings that are a bit better at certain things, and perhaps a bit worse at others.
Then there are a long line of string manufacturers, each with some or several series and variants of strings. A very long line, in fact. Whenever you read this, I'll bet I'm working on adding more strings to Nordisk Ukulele's string catalog. Most strings are made of some form of nylon.
Fluorocarbon, then, what is that?
Without getting too technical, it can simply be described as a completely different material than nylon. Although these two types of strings look quite similar to the naked eye. Nylon gives a slightly softer sound if we generalize. Fluorocarbon gives a harder, sharper sound. Many tend to describe it as more modern. These strings are thinner and harder than nylon strings, which comes with a couple of different properties. Harder strings also mean they are harder on the fingertips. At the same time, they are thinner, so many who are used to nylon strings may find them sharp against their fingers. On the other hand, you don't need to press a thinner string against the fretboard as hard as with a thicker one, so it evens out in a way. Harder strings usually produce more sound. So, to maintain the same volume as with nylon strings, you don't need to play as hard. Thinner strings can more easily give rise to rattling and clicking sounds. On the other hand, you often don't need to play as hard with these... and then the occurrence of these unwanted noises decreases. There's a lot to consider.
The question we were looking for an answer to here was: which shoes… excuse me, strings should we choose?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying simple shoes at Biltema. If you don't play football at an elite level, you don't need football boots. On the other hand… if you play football with friends occasionally, it becomes much more fun with a pair of proper football boots. But remember that with these shoes, it won't be particularly comfortable to climb mountains. You might need several pairs of shoes.
It works the same way with strings. Not just ukulele strings. Strings that are good for one thing are not necessarily good for another. If you want strings with a sharp sound and that intonate well – then you might have to live with strings that take several days to get in tune after you've put them on. If you want strings that quickly get in tune, then you might have to live with these strings being worse at something else. If you want strings that are shiny or, for example, gentle on the fingers, then it's reasonable that the strings aren't as good at something else.
I am, of course, exaggerating a little here. But the principle is there. Buy (white) nylon strings – then you can expect them to be equally good (or bad) for most everyday use with a ukulele and everything that entails.
Buy more exotic strings when there's a certain quality you're looking for. Just like with shoes, it can be a good idea to have several pairs. Often, the more advanced strings cost a bit more. But it's not a rule.
Strings sound and behave differently with different ukuleles. Partly ukuleles of different sizes, but also when it comes to quality and wood type. A cheap and simple ukulele can, on the one hand, get new life with good new strings. This should not be underestimated. But on the other hand, you shouldn't expect a cheap ukulele to suddenly intonate and tune better just because you choose a certain string type.
A more expensive and elaborate ukulele "responds" better to different string types. Then it can be that ukuleles made of certain woods, for example mahogany, which often gives a slightly softer sound, "thrive" reasonably better with soft nylon strings. A maple ukulele, which often gives a harder sound, might be better suited with harder strings. Or you might realize that your "soft" mahogany ukulele thrives best with hard strings. There is no right or wrong here. What is right for you can depend on everything from how the strings feel against your fingers (yes, it actually varies quite a lot between different string models, even if you, for example, only choose among nylon strings) to how loud they sound. If you have two ukuleles of different sizes, but of the same material, it is not unlikely that one string type works better for one and another string type suits the other better.
It's also possible to experiment. Don't buy the same string type for the same ukulele every time. Try different brands and models. Sign up for a subscription to our Stringmix, and you'll automatically get to try different models.
Contact us at Nordisk Ukulele if you are unsure. We are happy to help you find the right strings.
